Should Erik Lamela Arrest His Tottenham Hotspur Adventure?
Of the seven players bought after Gareth Bale's £85.3 million move to Real Madrid, Erik Lamela was supposed to be Tottenham Hotspur's right-wing solution.
The Argentinian southpaw came from Roma after a fantastic 2012/13 season—scoring 15 goals in 36 appearances—commanding an initial £25.7 million fee.
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Then-manager Andre Villas-Boas told reporters—two weeks after Lamela's signing—the attacking option was "going to suffer problems of adaptation," as noted by the Daily Mail's Laura Williamson and Thom Drake.
Almost like a prophet (and/or speaking from personal experience), Villas-Boas was correct: The now-23-year-old has indeed struggled replicating his form elsewhere into solid Premier League success.
Arriving in England unable to speak the language, Lamela was lagging behind before he even started—add meshing with a completely renovated squad after Bale's departure and the task became infinitely more challenging.
Were there a stable entity present, the winger's path to assimilation would have been easier, but Daniel Levy's ship seems to navigate turbulent waters on an annual basis.
Three managers and nearly 24 months later, Lamela has yet to find himself at White Hart Lane. In two campaigns with Roma, the Argentina international played 67 times, netting 21 goals—at Tottenham after two seasons: 62 games and six goals.
Speaking to his quality, despite recent seasons, the 23-year-old still appears to have suitors and could be an interesting story come the summer transfer window's opening next month.
Chelsea are thought to be interested in Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann this summer; the Frenchman has a buyout clause around €43.5/£31.2 million. Were Diego Simeone's club to ship Griezmann, reports suggest north London is where the Spanish club would hunt for a replacement.
According to the London Evening Standard's Tom Collomosse, Lamela has been earmarked by Atletico for summer-transfer purposes. In conjunction with Collomosse, Darren Lewis of the Mirror has reported Tottenham are willing to sell Lamela this upcoming window—in an attempt to recoup some of the mammoth funds they spent in 2013.
Under contract with Spurs until 2017/18, however, the final decision ultimately rests with the player.
Forcing a move should not be Lamela's plan of action. Tottenham is not a wasteland, nor is it devoid of talent, it simply cannot bring the best out of the winger as presently constituted.
Were Tottenham in the Champions League, were Mauricio Pochettino competing for the Premier League title and were English football better suited to his elegantly languid style, then Lamela would be correct in staying at White Hart Lane, but none of those are the case.
La Liga seems an exceptional match for Lamela; if Simeone comes knocking, the Argentinian should answer the door—as an Atletico lifeboat proves ideal for all involved.
Madrid would receive a young, talented player. Tottenham would receive somewhere in the £20 million neighbourhood for a player who failed to settle, and Lamela would enter the Vicente Calderon Stadium with a tabula rasa in a league perfect for his game.
It appears a rare win-win-win situation.
The only potential hiccups are depending on Jose Mourinho's club signing Griezmann and Levy willing to accept a loss on his original investment.
As the summer transfer window heats up, all will become clearer.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase.com where not noted.
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